Customer Reviews

Callanetics: 10 Years Younger in 10 Hours

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A great companion book for the Callanetics video tapes, it will give you a little background on Callan, and how she created her unique method of exercise.
The photos are astounding. Chapter 4, "Portfolio of Proof", has untouched back and profile views of bikini clad women, as well a two men, as they progress from class to class. There is a sequence of photos from the 1st to the 19th class on one woman that shows an amazing transformation.

There is a smoothness to the body toning. Think Cyd Charisse, not Martina Navratilova. If you want that "super athlete" look, Callanetics is not for you. There is no bulk in the results, no accentuated muscles...just a longer, leaner line.

The book takes you through the entire 1-hour program, demonstrated by Callan's students. Chapter 16 is "The 15 Minute Maintenance Plan", and there are chapters on "Taking Care of Your Back", "You're Never Too Old to Have a Fabulous Body", and more.
The final chapter is "The Advanced Program", and it's demonstrated by Callan, with her remarkable strength, flexibility, and grace. The woman is a marvel.

Callanetics has been around for 2 decades, but I just heard about it recently. I've been doing the "Quick Callanetics" for a week, and already feel taller, stronger, and more agile, after only 20 minutes a day. Also, though the exercises are very hard and "burn", one doesn't get muscle soreness afterwards, and more importantly, I haven't felt even a twinge of pain in my knees, which has always been a problem with other exercise programs...so Callanetics is (better late than never !) a thrilling find for me.

Why more people don't do Callanetics I'll never know. I suppose it is the boredom factor. However, if you can hang in there for about 10 workouts or so, and see the phenomenol results that Callanetics will give you, suddenly the workout isn't so boring anymore! This book is really wonderful, well-written with great photo examples of every exercise. I would highly recommend the purchase of the Callanetics video workout and a tape measure along with this book. In my opinion, the book and video should always be sold together. The tape measure is so that you can take your measurements before and after to keep track of your progress-and believe me, you will progress rapidly with this workout. It is a wonderful regime for anyone who wants a long, lean "dancer" type body, and is especially wonderful for shrinking pear-shapes and for those who want to rid themselves of saddle-bags.

First of all, these exersizes are brilliant. I have tried all different kinds of (more modern) methods, but I keep coming back to Callanetics. If you want a leaner, more beautiful body, this is the book for you. Callanetics is simply the BEST workout program around and will probably last forever.

But! And here comes the big BUT. This book might be a tad misleading if you expect instant results. It promises 10 years younger in 10 days, well, probably that will work for some, but definitely not for the out-of-shape-not-in-the-early-twenties-anymore-type-of-person. When I started Callanetics, years ago now, I was quickly deterred by the slow results and quit the program after the promised 10 hours. I told every one the program didn't work.

Until I decided to start again, one step at the time now, and stick with it for a few months. Then, suddenly, the results came and I did indeed get a trim(mer), slim(mer), strong(er) body. No miracles mind you, but enough results to be noticeable.

So yes, get the book today, but make sure you stick with it for at least a few months before you render your judgement!

I've done Callanetics off and on for years. Of course, like most people, I get sidetracked and stop exercising for whatever reason, but I always come back to Callanetics because it WORKS! No, you won't lose massive amounts of weight, but if you are relatively normal weight for you, and you just need to tone up and get everything back where nature originally put it, this is the one for you. I would advise a cardio session a couple of times a week to compliment this program. If you are still skeptical, I would simply invest in the book and look at the pic of the hourly transormation of the one woman throughout her 19 classes. It is simply amazing. then if you aren't convinced, resell the book here or on ebay.

This workout is incredible a classic it ought to be around forever and never go out of fashion. I've tried many things including the famous Pilates which are so much in vogue nowadays and for me there is nothing like Callanetics. The workout is very difficult but you do get really really strong - proof of it is that I used to go to step and aerobic classes before discovering Callanetics and they were really hard, and after Callanetics they were a cinch. You notice the results really fast too, soon you will be gaping at the mirror and exclaiming: Is that really ME??! I know that because I did it. Although the workout is hard after doing it a few times it becomes easier, because you get stronger. Only two minor complaints about this workout, that as other people have mentioned it is quite boring, better to do it with a lively movie on TV to watch at the same time. And it has no aerobic content and I feel that aerobics are necessary to really be in shape. However that is easy to remedy by complementing Callanetics with any aerobic routines that you choose. If you want to look great fast and feel stronger this is the one workout to learn. I personally combine Callanetics with yoga and different aerobic routines (depending on the mood I'm in) and that is absolutely all I need to stay in great shape.

One thing the other reviews don't quite emphasize enough- these exercises are just plain ol' unpleasant to do. It is not fun to sit in a lunge with one leg held out to the side and slowly move it up and down a few inches 50-100 times. The only justification for this torture is that it works. I don't have any interest in exercise per se, just in being strong and looking as good as possible. (And not limping around like Quasimodo the first three hours of the day) I have been doing these exercises for three months. I have lost 5 pounds, and look like I have lost 20. I do 50 repetitions rather than 100 and do it 4-5 times a week, as it is less boring for me to do less more often. It helps to memorize the sets and then review the book or video every once in a while to make sure one is doing it correctly and not dropping any of the exercises. Read the instructions carefully initially so you don't hurt yourself doing it wrong.

This book is absolutely wonderful!! I am amazed at the results a person can see in just a few weeks. The triple slow motion really makes you aware and in control of your movements. Wonderful for the back. The stetches are a very imortant part for awesome results. I would give it 10 STARS!!

You get the promised results, if you stick with it. But it is a HARD workout. Worth it, though.

And if you are very much over weight (I am) -- you *need* to add aerobic exercise to get the full benefit. But you're so much stronger, it's a breeze!

This book serves as a good introduction to Callanetics, which takes off an amazing amount of inches without too much effort. However, even with the photos and explanations, the exercises may seem a bit confusing. Although the book is worth having simply to read Callan's story and see the testimonial pictures, I strongly suggest you buy at least one of the videos as well so you can ascertain that you have the proper form while performing the exercises.

I had taken this book out of the library in the late eighties. The abdominal exercises were highly recommended by an acquaintance. I followed this program for a few years. The instructions were easy to follow and it was amply illustrated with photos. These were tough at first, but they worked, and they worked quickly. A couple of drawbacks are the lack of upper body strength exercises and they are not aerobic. I purchased this book because I had gotten away from some of the exercises, and needed a reminder on how to do them. I am sorry it is out of print, because it is a great program when used in conjunction with some aerobic exercises.